Efforts by emergency services continued on Monday as personnel searched for four individuals missing after a medical transport helicopter crashed into Watshishou Lake in eastern Quebec on Friday night. The search area, near Natashquan, saw the involvement of divers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) starting Sunday morning. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) had conducted extensive visual search operations over the helicopter’s last known location, but as of Monday afternoon, they had suspended their search efforts and returned to base. The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. when five people were on board the Airmedic helicopter.
One crew member was successfully rescued and is reported to be in stable condition, receiving necessary support. This individual was the only survivor of the crash, leaving four others unaccounted for. The emergency teams tirelessly worked day and night, deploying ground, air, and water assets to aid in the search. As part of the ongoing operations, diving teams from SQ were dispatched to maximize the chance of locating the missing personnel.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. According to a TSB spokesperson, the helicopter was conducting a medical evacuation when it unexpectedly went down shortly after takeoff. The board is in collaboration with Quebec police as they gather more information about the incident and the operator involved in the flight.
Montreal-based Airmedic, specializing in air medical transport services across Canada, has temporarily halted its operations to focus on supporting their staff in light of this tragic event. The company emphasized the importance of prioritizing the wellbeing of its team during this difficult time following the crash.
Watshishou Lake is situated along Quebec’s North Shore, approximately 450 kilometers east of Baie-Comeau, an area characterized by its challenging weather conditions and remote access. The location adds further difficulty to the search operations, which require both specialized equipment and skilled personnel to navigate the terrain and conduct underwater recovery attempts.
The situation remains dire for the families of the missing individuals, as emergency services continue their operations amidst an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident. Crews are dedicated to locating the missing persons while the broader aviation community watches closely, awaiting updates on the recovery efforts and the TSB’s findings regarding the cause of the crash.
